Solving For Joy

If perfectionism is stealing your joy, this episode is for you. You’ll hear the honest, powerful story of Dr. Amna Shabbir—a master certified coach, internist, and mom—who knows exactly what it’s like to look successful on the outside… and feel completely depleted inside. In this episode, you’ll learn: The 3 types of perfectionism—and how to recognize which one’s driving you How to tell the differ...

Discover a journey towards personal joy, justice and connection. The Solving for Joy podcast welcomes Iris Fernandez Valdez, an emotional well being coach. Together with Dr. Chrissie Ott, they discuss the importance of building meaningful connections, and the role of coaching in creating lasting change. Iris discusses what it means to be an abolitionist in this day and age. They also dive into the...

Learn how subtracting societal expectations can lead to greater joy, authenticity, and self-discovery. In this conversation, host Dr. Chrissie Ott speaks with Dr. Jillian Rigert, a former military oral surgeon turned therapist in training. Dr. Rigert shares her transformative journey of stepping away from a performance-driven culture to embrace authenticity and self-compassion. She discusses the i...

Learn how redefining medicine can lead to a more fulfilling and joyful life. In this episode of Solving for Joy, Dr. Kara Pepper shares her journey from burnout in medicine to rediscovering joy in her career. She opens up to host Dr. Chrissie Ott about the realities of gray drinking, and the importance of recognizing when a career no longer aligns with personal values. They explore what it means t...

Explore how to cope with anticipatory grief, the power of advocacy, and the finding joy even in darkness in this episode of the Solving for Joy podcast. Dr. Tasha Faruqui shares her journey as a pediatrician and mother navigating her child’s undiagnosed neurodegenerative condition with host Dr. Chrissie Ott. Together, they discuss palliative care, medical decision-making, and the power of open com...

Discover how joy and medicine can coexist with Dr. Tonya Caylor. With over 25 years as a family physician, Tonya is dedicated to supporting family medicine residents, faculty, and attending physicians as they rediscover the joy in their work. Together, Dr. Chrissie Ott and Tonya discuss themes of power, agency, perfectionism, and mentorship—highlighting the importance of finding fulfillment even i...

Discover the transformative power of connecting with others and making room for joy in our lives. In this episode of the Solving for Joy podcast, host Chrissie Ott welcomes Dr. Kathy Stepien,  a leader in the physician coaching and wellness space, founder of the Institute for Physician Wellness and the Physician Coaching Summit. Together, they explore the concept of joy, its importance in life and...

Discover the power of human connection, financial wellness, and courage in medicine. Dr. Jennie Byrne, psychiatrist,  neuroscientist, and healthcare innovator, joins the Solving for Joy podcast with host Dr. Chrissie Ott. Together, they discuss the realities of physician life, like financial challenges and moral injury. They explore the impact of language on burnout, the moral injury in healthcare...

Explore how intentionality and coaching can transform surgery, success, and personal growth. Dr. Sharon Stein, a colorectal surgeon and life coach, joins the Solving for Joy podcast today with host Dr. Chrissie Ott. Together, they discuss the power of intentionality in surgeons, the challenges of imposter syndrome, and the need for a shift in the surgical field. Together, they explore how conflict...

Learn how to embrace your power, align with your purpose, and create a life of joy and intention. In this episode, host Dr. Chrissie Ott speaks with Dr. Vanessa Calderon, an emergency medicine physician, coach, speaker and leader in wellness and resiliency. Together, they explore how listening to your body, ancestral healing, and vibrational alignment can help you grow and find joy. Dr. Calderon r...

Reclaim your sleep as a foundation for joy, health, and empowerment. Board-certified internist and sleep medicine specialist, Dr. Andrea Matsumura, joins the Solving for Joy podcast to explore the vital connection between sleep and overall health and well-being. In this episode, Dr. Matsumura and host Dr. Chrissie Ott delve into topics such as circadian rhythms, hormonal influences on sleep, and c...

Discover how creative practices can serve as tools for self-discovery, healing, and processing life's complexities. Accomplished musicians Stephanie Schneiderman and Tony Furtado join host Dr. Chrissie Ott to discuss creativity, joy and the importance of being present. Their discussion highlights how creativity can serve as a therapeutic tool and a means of self-discovery. In this conversation, St...

Explore how acknowledging our own trauma can unlock deeper connections and care. In today’s episode of the Solving for Joy podcast, host Dr. Chrissie Ott is joined by Dr. Amy King, a licensed psychologist, keynote speaker, coach and mentor. Together, they explore the multifaceted nature of trauma, the importance of relational health, and the need for compassionate self-preservation, particularly a...

Discover tips for creating a life aligned with your passions and values.  Integrative psychiatrist, digital nomad, and founder of NomadMD, Dr. Kristine Goins joins host Dr. Chrissie Ott to share her inspiring journey from traditional medicine to embracing a minimalist, nomadic lifestyle.  Dr. Goins shares the practicalities of living as a digital nomad and the freedom that comes with this kind of...

Reclaim your health and joy through menopause and perimenopause. This week, host Dr. Chrissie Ott is joined by Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan, the Portland Menopause Doc and a leading voice in menopause care. Dr. O’Sullivan has been at the forefront of challenging the stigma surrounding menopause. Together, they explore the connection between joy and menopause, the challenges women encounter during this lif...

Discover how to connect more deeply and build relationships rooted in care and compassion. This week on Solving for Joy, host Dr. Chrissie Ott sits down with Dr. Wendy Schofer, a pediatrician, coach, and founder of Family in Focus. Wendy is on a mission to redefine how we think about emotional well-being—not by avoiding discomfort, but by embracing the full spectrum of emotions as a path to healin...

Discover how to bring more intention and ease into your family's meals and find the difference it can make in your life and those around you. Have you ever thought about the 'why' behind the way you nourish your family? Today, we talk to Joy Rubey, founder and CEO of ACME and Spade and Spoon. Joy shares her personal journey towards creating sustainable food systems, driven by her experiences as a...

 Reignite your passion for medicine and find out how to unlock your full potential. Want to learn more about how coaching can benefit your life? In this special bonus episode, Dr. Chrissie Ott introduces ROAR, a six month coaching program designed specifically for physicians. Dr. Ott emphasizes the critical need for physicians to maintain their well-being to provide effective care, addressing the...

Explore the significance of living authentically and the essential role of a supportive environment for physicians.   On today’s episode of the Solving for Joy podcast, host Dr. Chrissie Ott welcomes Dr. Jessica Ching, a compassionate leader, dedicated educator, and passionate advocate for authenticity in medicine. Together, they delve into Dr. Ching’s inspiring journey and discuss the critical co...

What if you let go of what you thought you should be grateful for and instead explore what is already present? As Thanksgiving approaches, join Dr. Chrissie Ott, as she discusses the pitfalls of using gratitude as a form of self-criticism and advocates for more genuine gratitude. She describes a unique gratitude practice called Naikan and its impact on personal growth and awareness. Dr. Ott discus...

Uncover the power of acknowledgment, repair, and resilience in shaping a more connected and accountable future. Rebecca Clarren, author of The Cost of Free Land, joins the Solving for Joy podcast with host Dr. Chrissie Ott to delve into historical injustice, cultural identity, and the role of storytelling in healing and understanding our shared history. Through reflections on her family’s past, th...

Discover the profound connections between neuroscience, meditation, and personal growth. Join Dawson Church PhD, bestselling science writer and researcher, as he dives into the science behind EFT, meditation and their effectiveness in promoting healing. Together with host Dr. Chrissie Ott, they discuss the benefits of meditation and related practices. Their conversation emphasizes the innate capac...

From a life devoid of joy to one filled with healing and service. Join host Dr. Chrissie Ott as she speaks with friend and coaching colleague Peter Kahn. Peter shares his transformative journey from a life devoid of joy to one filled with healing and service. As a relationship coach, Peter is able to share with us his biggest takeaways from helping people in their relationships and dives into the...

Discover the realities of burnout—what it truly means and why it goes beyond being a personal problem. Join host Dr. Chrissie Ott as she delves into the multifaceted nature of burnout, especially within the medical field. She unpacks its components and emphasizes the need to see burnout as a systemic issue, rather than an individual failing. Dr. Ott shares her own experiences with burnout and unde...

Connecting with others, finding strength, and uncovering joy even in the darkest times. Host, Dr. Chrissie Ott shares her harrowing experience of navigating Tropical Storm Imelda, while also dealing with family health crises, and how she found strength during this difficult time. Listen as Chrissie shares how confronting life’s most difficult challenges can lead to profound growth and resilience....